The head is a legitimate driver of a skilled SNF course. After neurosurgery or a craniotomy, a resident needs skilled incision care and — above all — neurological surveillance for the complications of the surgery. After a fall with a head strike, especially on an anticoagulant, skilled head-injury monitoring is time-critical because of the delayed-bleed risk. Scalp lacerations and wounds require skilled care, and the immobile resident needs scalp-integrity protection.
This module proves, on the days it applies, that skilled head/scalp care and neurological observation was reasonable, necessary, needed daily, and available only in a SNF under Pub. 100-02 Chapter 8. The head/scalp exam is the same as in home care; the coverage spine is re-pointed. The full neurologic exam routes to the Neurological reference; the post-fall protocol to the Falls reference.
